Samsung's Galaxy Tab Android tablet will go on sale in Blighty on 1 November, the South Korean giant said today.
However, it didn't say how much the thing will cost. Given that the Tab incorporates a 7in, 600 x 1024 touchscreen, 1GHz ARM based CPU with an on-board PowerVR SGX graphics core, a GPS pick-up, a 3Mp camera, 802.11n …

Do some research, and it's droid, not driod...

I'm not going to argue about the prices being touted about for the Galaxy Tab because I think they're ridiculous too and I was really looking forward to it. However, the BBC are spreading FUD as usual with half-arsed articles that are available elsewhere with Google responding and stating that all applications state specifically what functions they will access before installing when they come from the market. Apps you install from other sources display the same information but you're accepting the added risk there.

Do iPhones or any other type of smartphone have information on what functions your installed applications will use? I seem to recall a very specific incident where premium rate numbers were being pushed in ads. In fact I just searched for it and here's the link.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/07/23/admob_premium_dialling/

You may say that isn't Apple's fault but then neither is it Google's fault if application developers pull dodgy crap. You as the user of the phone ultimately have to click install after accepting the permissions the phone will access.

Dear of dear...

I agree with all the comments so far (and I'm not an Apple fan, I have an HTC Desire and love it). This is a nice piece of kit and Samsung have an opportunity to really challenge the iPad... but no way at those quoted prices. I can't believe it's so expensive to make it warrants a price that high - a sensible price and maybe even a bit of subsidy on the initial sales would make a huge difference!

I pity those who stump up the money

...buying an expensive product that even Google thinks is a bad idea (Android on a tablet). Android seems to have become the weapon of choice for bottom-feeders, i.e. "we smell a valuable market, but can't be bothered to invest in our own R&D."

Fuggedaboudit!!!

When it comes to Android phones vs iPhones we put up with Android's little foibles because they deliver similar functionality at half the price (pretty much). In some areas (particularly the hardware) they have advantages.

This is nowhere close to a competitor for the iPad, particularly on price! And a 3Mp camera??? Meh

Phone pricing caused this

Well, this is all down to inflated phone prices. If their Galaxy S phone (pretty much the same guts) is currently selling for around £450, they are going to have to sell the Tab for more or their phone punters (and investors) will say "now hang on a minute".

No way will this sell in quantity at this sort of price. Crazy phone prices have come back to bite them in the ass. Silly sods.

HTC and Samsung used to undercut the competition, now they've got a good chunk of the market they've just joined everyone else at the trough.

When will the bubble burst I wonder. This is unsustainable, especially now everyone is in 18month and 2 year contracts.

Hmmm, not good

Problem 1: I was under the impression under sales regulations that it was effectively illegal to falsely claim a discount from an RRP where none exists. If the entire market is selling a product at £599, how is the Amazon price a discount from the "RRP". False advertising perhaps?

Problem 2: a quick hunt around eBay will net several different Android powered tablets with a a varying level of feature-list. These cost from £85 - 150 depending on screen size. Now these are resistive of screen and most don't include GPS but is that worth a £450 premium?

They've failed already....

....by pissing off all the Galaxy S owners (that might have looked twice at one of these with its ridiculous pricetag) by missing the promised Froyo release date and by constantly failing to address the GPS issue.

Oh dear...

I'd pay £600 (as will many others)

As one who spends £500 every 24 months on an unlocked mobile upgrade, £600 for a tablet of this specification is good value.

Yes, the iOS has more apps. But I only need one app to make fart noises, not umpteen variants. Android apps are more productivity oriented than most apps on iOS. I defy anyone to find an example, i.e. use case, of being able to do something on iOS that cannot also be done on Android (or even Windows Mobile).

If iOS meets you rneeds and you're happy with the sqaure'ish form factor of the iPad, great. I prefer the rectangular form factor. USB support too.

Price doesn't matter

Has the whole world gone mad?

I simply don't understand why anyone would pay that kind of money for these pad things when you can get a netbook complete with keyboard for less than half the price. And it can stand on a desk/lap unaided.